Life has thrown its share of curveballs, each one quietly reshaping the chapters of my life and teaching me to slow down, rethink, and adapt in ways I never imagined.
I’ve been married to my best friend since 1985 and am the proud mother of two grown children and a precious grand girl. Family, lineage, and perseverance shape how I move through the world and the work I create.
I’m independent by nature, tenacious by necessity, and a hopeful visionary by choice. These qualities have been tested and strengthened through loss, surgery, and adaptation—and they now guide how I approach problem-solving and design.
Nature is my grounding force. Movement, competition, and teamwork shaped me long before amputation, and they continue to inform how I navigate challenge. Animals, too, have taught me unconditional presence and resilience.
Sharing vulnerability is not easy. Writing with dyslexia is not comfortable. But growth has never required comfort—only courage.
Today I spend much of my time exploring clay, hiking in northern Michigan, and continuing my curiosity about prosthetics and human adaptation. What began as therapy has grown into a creative outlet – a place where a little humor, a few silly gnomes, and a lot of patience can turn limitations into something that makes people smile.
Still learning. Still adapting. Still finding small ways to make the world a little lighter.
Paula
WHY THE TITLE?
I approach my fears with humor, so I wanted to put something on my arm that would humor the amputee surgeons instead of the typical “X” they use to mark the correct arm. The song “Take My Hand, Precious Lord” by Elvis Presley was appropriate for the saying and represents good childhood memories. My grandma was a huge influence in my life. She loved his music.
Both my mom and grandma fought a tough battle with brain cancer. They have given me the strength on this journey. It is my way to honor and have them with me.
So, I had a temporary tattoo designed with this symbol and the quote, “Take my hand.” On the day of the surgery, I was extremely nervous. When I went to put the tattoo on, I placed the wrong side on my arm, so it stuck to the cloth, not my skin. So, I thought it would be fitting to use the message and chose it as my logo and blog name, “Take My Hand Amputation.”
WHY THE LOGO?
The hummingbird symbolizes joy, healing, good luck, and a messenger from spirits. It shields negative energy and teaches endurance to combat all adversities. The hummingbird shows the sweetness of life. Before my mom passed, we had long talks about how we would keep in touch. She said she would return as a hummingbird.
The Lotus flower represents the journey of the human soul. It represents the struggles of life. A symbol of strength and perseverance. Every day, it rises out of the muddy waters of darkness to reach the sunlight and bloom its beauty to the world.
science 🖤 art 🖤 transhumeral 